In his trial starting Monday, Palm Coast’s Victor Williams, 43, admits to sex with a 16-year-old -boy, but not to drugging him and raping him. The difference is the difference between 15 years in prison or a life term.
All Else
Tobacco Use by Flagler and Florida Youth at All-Time Low, But Vaping Spikes to All-Time High
In Flagler, 15.1 percent of students in middle and high school reported using a vaping product in the past 30 days, up from 13.8 percent in 2016 and 7.8 percent in 2014.
Weekend Briefing: Elijah Cummings, Holler-Ween, Recovery Symposium, Sergei Babayan, Hoe-Down, Daniel Greene
Sue Hecht on Elijah Cummings, Halloween celebrations at the Agricultural Museum, an addiction recovery symposium, the Colored Pencil Society meets, Flagler County Democrats have a hoe-down, and many concerts everywhere.
Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Initiative Points to Some Gains as Offenders Are More Closely Tracked
Domestic violence arrests have edged down this year and 40 GPS monitors have been issued to offenders, who are violating their release conditions less–or ending up in jail again when they do.
Think ‘Medicare For All’ Is The Only Democratic Health Plan? Think Again
If you tuned in for the first five nights of the Democratic presidential debates, you might think “Medicare for All” and providing universal care are the only health care ideas Democrats have. They’re not.
Thursday Briefing: Domestic Violence Summit, Quit Tobacco, Inspired Mic, Chef Lance Cook
The sheriff’s latest domestic violence summit is at 10 a.m., the Hammock’s Dunes Club’s Executive Chef Lance Cook is a winner, the Inspired Mic’s various acts take the stage at Hidden Treasures.
For Milissa Holland, Latest Challenge of a Lifetime Is at Daughter Tori’s Bedside as Community Rallies
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland’s colleagues and friends have rallied as her daughter Tori had a liver transplant 17 days ago but remains critical in a Miami hospital, where her mother has been at her bedside for weeks.
DeSantis Says Soviet-Born Businessman Arrested on Campaign-Finance Charges Was “Just Like Any Other Donor”
DeSantis was among Florida Republican candidates who received contributions during the 2018 election cycle from Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were arrested on campaign-finance charges involving the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action.
Wednesday Briefing: Free Legal Clinic on Debts and Credit, FHP’s Derek Barrs at Tiger Bay, Moonshiners
The Flagler Bar presents a free legal clinic on debtors and creditors, FHP’s Dereck Barrs discusses autonomous vehicles and technology’s impact on transportation and safety on Florida’s roadways.
“White Power” Or “I’ve Got the Power”? A Flagler School Deputy’s Words to Children Triggers Investigation
Flagler County Sheriff’s Cpl. William Lowe, a 13-year veteran with a reputation for coarse and unfiltered humor, was investigated and cleared over allegations that he’d used the words “white power” in front of children at a summer camp, but was disciplined for a lesser statement.
Gov. DeSantis Appoints Prosecutor and Local Resident Andrea Totten Flagler County Judge
Gov. Ron DeSantis today appointed Andrea Totten, a 40-year-old Palm Coast resident and an assistant attorney general, Flagler County judge, filling a seat newly created by the Legislature to relieve the overburdened docket of County Judge Melissa Distler.
Flagler School Board Adopts Process Broadly Inclusive of Community in Choosing Next Superintendent
The Flagler school board will involve an internal, staff focus group, a community advisory committee, a community survey and a community forum as it decides what sort of superintendent to hire by next March.
“Unique Boutique” Generates Over $9,000 for Flagler County Non-Profit
The “Nearly New” Thrift Store held a “Unique Boutique” fundraising event on Oct. 5 at the Santa Maria del Mar Church Parish Hall. More than 160 shoppers were able to purchase some of the finest items of clothing, purses and jewelry donated to the thrift store.
Tuesday Briefing: Superintendent Search, No Bullies, Safety Commission, Food Truck Tuesday
The Flagler County School Board discusses its next superintendent, rezoning and a community survey, it’s Food Truck Tuesday in Central Park, the school safety commission meets, Jefferson on differences of opinion.
New Building Improvement Regulations Eyed to Withstand Hurricanes
The Florida Building Commission gave tentative approval to more-stringent wind resistance requirements for vinyl siding and additional mitigation requirements for rooftop decks, among other recommendations to lawmakers.
Trump’s Trillion-Dollar Hit to Homeowners, and $680 Billion Gift to Corporations
By reducing deductions for real estate taxes, Trump’s 2017 tax plan has harmed millions — and helped give corporations a $680 billion gift. An analysis shows how.
2 Big Developments Would Change Complexion of Palm Harbor Neighborhood; City Would Take Over Marina
Two proposed developments–along the Palm Harbor golf course and at the Palm Coast marina–would total 120 hotel rooms and 318 multi-family units–town houses and condos, as the city prefers to describe them.
Daytona State College Awarded $2.1 million Title III Grant to Help Retention and Graduation
The grant will support a new project called “Learner Engagement, Navigation, and Support (LENS),” and will enable the College to increase retention and graduation rates of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students in associate degree programs.
Deputies Arrest Kelsey Anderson Hours After He Threatens to Shoot Up AdventHealth Palm Coast
Kelsey Anderson, 35, a convicted felon three times over, threatened to shoot his partner and shoot up AdventHealth Palm Coast, where she is a nurse, earlier today. He has been on the run since.
Wyse Report: Daytona Area Condo Sales Still Depressed
For the fourth consecutive month, condo sales around the greater Daytona Beach area were down in year-over-year comparisons.
Gender Traitors: Fired While Gay
The Supreme Court will decide three cases that ask a question you should be offended to hear still asked today: may an employer fire a worker for being gay? The answer in most states, including Florida, is yes.
2 People Shot in a Car on Palm Coast Parkway, 1 Killed, 1 Wounded, Assailant at Large
Two people were shot as they sat in a car in the 1200 block of Palm Coast Parkway early this morning. One died, the other was taken to Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach with an injury.
Palm Coast Assistant Manager Beau Falgout Resigns in Latest Reflection of City’s Re-Direction Under Morton
Beau Falgout’s resignation was not a surprise, as he’d vied for the top job and fallen a vote short when the council chose to hire Matt Morton last March. Most of the city’s top ranks have since turned over, after the 11-year administration of Jim Landon.
Tiny A1A Subdivision Sees Wells Fail As a Big Development Churns Nearby. Now County Wants To Charge Residents $1,700 a Year for a Fix.
Willow Woods residents sandwiched between Washington Oaks State Park and Matanzas Woods developments would be charged $1,700 a year for 20 years to hook up to city water to replace failing wells, though residents say they’re not at fault: the development is.
Weekend Briefing: Peace Prize, Creekside Festival, Pink Army Run-Walk, AAUW Census Lunch, Harry Potter
The Creekside Festival Saturday and Sunday at Princess Place Preserve, a lunch focused on the coming Census, walk to end Alzheimer’s, Bring Your Sing Competition at the Auditorium, the Pink Army 5K and 1 Mile Pet-Friendly Fun Walk in Town Center, and much more.
Is the Whiteview Parkway Narrowing Project Going Forward? Depends on Whom You Ask.
The narrowing of Palm Coast’s Whiteview Parkway from four to two lanes has raised questions but the $4 million project is fully designed and now depends on state grants to move forward, which means it could wait many years. Still, the project has been cause for mixed messages and inaccuracies.
$500 Ethics Fine Against Dennis McDonald Now Upped to $10,000, With Governor’s Reprimand and Censure
A three-year-old ethics case against former county commission and senate candidate Dennis McDonald could have ended last June with a $500 fine to which he had agreed. Instead, and for lack of answering a few questions and correcting the record, McDonald now faces a $10,000 fine and a public censure and reprimand by the governor.
Don’t Let Breast Cancer Awareness Gimmickry Detract from the Essentials: Screenings and Exams
In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Florida Department of Health in Flagler encourages all women to receive regular screenings to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Florida Will Use $116 Million in Pollution-Settlement Money from VW to Buy Alternative-Fuel Buses
New public-transit and school buses that run on electricity and alternative fuels would get much of Florida’s share of a federal payout from a Volkswagen emissions scandal.
Dry September Creating Drought Conditions in North Florida
Typically one of Florida’s wettest months of the year, this September was drier on average, according to data collected by the St. Johns River Water Management District, and drought conditions are developing in north Florida, with Baker County experiencing severe drought.
Fish and Wildlife Commissioners Move to Protect Florida Shoal Bass
A draft rule would suspend harvest and possession of shoal bass in the Chipola River and its tributaries. This draft rule would replace an executive order issued in June, when initial population sampling indicated the shoal bass population there had been negatively affected due to the impacts of Hurricane Michael.
Vaping Illnesses Continue to Climb in Florida
Florida had 13 vaping-related pulmonary illnesses reported last week, bringing the number of cases to 52 as of Saturday, according to data from the Florida Department of Health. While the number of cases continued climbing, the number of vaping-related deaths remained at one. The counts reflect the number of cases of lung injury that were […]
Thursday Briefing: Literature Nobel, Turtle Quilty, Waltz at Tiger Bay, Diabetes, “Lion in Winter”
Two Nobels for literature are announced this morning (for 2018 and 2019), Mike Waltz at Daytona’s Tiger Bay, Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s sixth addition to its turtle trail, a free diabetes management class.
A “Highly Effective” Teacher Loses His Job at FPC. He Says It Was Retaliation for Whistle-Blowing. District Disagrees.
Robert Sprouse is claiming in a whistleblower action that his contract was not renewed because of the way he reported on a male senior’s repeatedly inappropriate and harassing behavior toward several girls–to school officials, the sheriff’s office and the Department of Children and Families.
Crash Involving 3 Semis Shuts Down I-95 Southbound, Snarls Northbound at Palm Coast Parkway
Three semi trucks were involved in a crash on I-95 just south of Palm Coast Parkway at 12:10 p.m. today, snarling northbound traffic, while southbound traffic was diverted onto the Parkway. There were no injuries.
Wednesday Briefing: IB Pinning Ceremony, Free Legal Clinic, Domestic Violence Survivor, Chemistry
Juniors in the IB Program get pinned at FPC, the Public Safety Coordinating Council talks human trafficking, Wills and Estates, a free legal clinic, Firehouse Subs donates defibrillators to the sheriff, Stetson University School of Music Jazz Ensemble.
Calling It an “Administrative Nightmare,” Federal Judge Urges Lawmakers to Revamp Felon Voting Law
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle made the comments as he finished a two-day hearing in a challenge to the law, which was passed along partisan lines by the Republican-dominated Legislature this spring and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Bear Management Strategies in Florida Forests Include Shooting and Trapping
The 209-page draft from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers ways to keep the state’s bear population of about 4,000 above the 3,000 mark.
Talk of Reparations for Slavery and Jim Crow Moves to State Capitols, Including Florida
Four centuries after the first African slaves landed on Virginia shores, state lawmakers across the country are taking up the debate over how to atone for what’s been called “America’s Original Sin.”
Flagler Jail Joins Growing List of Counties Adding Full-Body Scanning of Inmates
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office installed a $149,000 full-body scanner at the jail (the cost includes training) to better control contraband and improve inmate and deputy safety, joining a growing list of counties in the state and the country doing likewise.
Firehouse Subs Donating 16 Defibrillators to Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will celebrate $20,153 worth of lifesaving equipment awarded, thanks to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, during a dedication event on Wednesday (Oct. 9) at 3:00 p.m. at Firehouse Subs, at 1475 Palm Coast Parkway.
Tuesday Briefing: Delgado on medical Marijuana and the Law, Suicide Loss, Financial Aid Night, Physics
The school districts hosts a Community Resource Showcase and Financial Aid Night at the Wadsworth/Buddy Taylor cafeteria, attorney Aaron Delgado talks medical marijuana and the law, a suicide loss group meets.
Bernie’s Heart. And Ours.
Bernie has a huge and eternally healthy heart, filled with the lifeblood of empathy and dedication. In essence, that’s what the 2020 Sanders campaign is all about. Not him. Us.
62 More Hepatatis A Cases in Florida, for Total of 2,738
Florida had 62 newly reported cases of hepatitis A last week, bringing the total number of cases for the year to 2,738 as of Saturday, a state Department of Health report shows. Pasco, Pinellas and Volusia counties continued to lead the state with 397, 369 and 244 cases, respectively.
After 8-Year Moratorium, Flagler County Will Get Back To Taxing Development for Roads and Possibly More
Flagler County government today hired a firm to study impact fees, or one-time levies on new development, to pay for roads, parks, libraries, fire rescue and public buildings in what could be a significant addition to county revenue by 2020.
Monday Briefing: Snelgrove in Court, AdventHealth Adding 7th Operating Room, Dunes Rebuilding
The Flagler County Commission approves a formal agreement with Flagler Beach on dunes reconstruction, double-murderer David Snelgrove is in court for a status hearing, Advent Health adds an operation room.
PCAF’s “Quilty,” Turtle #6 Unveiling Thursday at Waterfront Park
The Palm Coast Arts Foundation invites the public to the unveiling of Turtle #6 on their public sculpture Turtle Trail project Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. at Waterfront Park, 150 Waterfront Park Rd, Palm Coast, off Colbert Lane.
Daytona State College Awarded Scholarship Grant for Military Veterans
Daytona State College has received a grant from the Margaret McCartney & R. Parks Williams Foundation to benefit military veterans and their families.
The County Issued a Press Release About a Donation By Commissioner Joe Mullins. Then All Hell Broke Loose.
County Commissioner Joe Mullins had County PIO Julie Murphy write a press release about a donation he made to an addiction-recovery program in Bunnell. What followed exposes a series of serious issues between commissioners and within county government.
Rabbi Shapiro Makes Legal Case Against Flagler School Board Reviving Invocations at Meetings
Palm Coast’s Merrill Shapiro, a member of the national board of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, presented legal arguments at a talk Thursday against the Flagler County School Board’s potential return to starting meetings with invocations.